War of 538

The war which ended the Papal Empire

The Conflict

Prelude

The war of 538 was a direct result of the Third Merovingian-Pontinean War, which lasted from 532 to 535. In this war the deteriorated Papal Empire and their much mightier ally the Merovingian Empire fought the Kingdom of Pontinea over the small remote province of Daviia, which both Merovingia and Pontine claimed. The war ended in a stalemate but clearly showed the weakness of the Papal Army and left the Pontinean nobles furious about Papal interference in Daviia.

Deployment

The Papal Empire initially was able to send 15 thousand men to the frontlines, but was forced to recruit 38 thousand more men during the war.

Battlefield

All battles chronologically:

1. Battle of Ititua, Papal Victory
2. Battle of Narca, Minor Papal Victory
3. Battle of Lopinata, Pontinean Victory
4. Siege of Romasia, Stalemate

The Engagement

Altough the Papal Empire initially was winning the war they were forced to retreat after the Battle of Dansum.
Against all expectations the relatively small Pontinean Army abused this to directly invade Papal territory, with only 11 thousand men. The Papal Army sent to stop them (13,000 men) suffered an enormous defeat near Lopinata. The Pontineans then marched directly to Romasia City, where they defeated yet another 23,000 men. They besieged the city, and altough their siege was unsuccesful the pope was killed and Claudius Verinus, the killer, declared himself emperor.
The new emperor realised he was in no state to succesfully expel the Pontineans from his country so he reached out for peace:
The Treaty of Lopinata officially ended the war: 

• Pontine annexed the Malina and Veresum Provinces
• Claudius Verinus was officially declared emperor
• All Merovingian-Romasian ties were broken

Outcome

The Papal Empire was disbanded and the Third Bevisian Empire was founded, Pontine became a major power.

Aftermath

The last powerful Romasian Empire had fallen, the Romasian Isthmus quickly lapsed into decentralisation and anarchy

Historical Significance

Legacy

Until the 19th century it was widely regarded as one of the biggest tragedies ever.

Conflict Type

War

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

5th of March 538

Ending Date

25th of December 538

Conflict Result

Pontinean victory, Papal Empire disbanded

Belligerents

Papal Empire

• Papal Empire

Pontinean Empire

Strength

53,000 men

17,000 men

Casualties

12,000 men

4,000 men

Objectives

Defending themselves against Pontinean aggression

Conquering lands from the weak Papal Empire